Rare: original lithographs, in both the coloured and uncoloured states, from the official account of the Dumont d'Urville expedition, Voyage de la corvette l'Astrolabe et la Zelee (1833).

Rare: original lithographs, in both the coloured and uncoloured states, from the official account of the Dumont d'Urville expedition, Voyage de la corvette l'Astrolabe et la Zelee (1833).

Louis de Sainson, the topographical draughtsman travelling with the expedition, created a series of portraits depicting indigenous people he encountered in the places they visited. He made many detailed studies of the local inhabitants of King George's Sound from 15 to 25 October 1826. King George's Sound proved a perfect watering place for the expedition with an abundance of fresh water, firewood and a safe anchorage. These portraits aimed to document the physical appearances, dress, and customs of the indigenous populations they encountered. These artworks provide valuable historical and cultural insights into First Nations communities at the time of colonial settlement.